Black Corporation: Joseon

Although Kim Jeom had been promoted to Deputy Prime Minister, his workload hadn’t decreased at all. This was because his area of responsibility included overseeing the Ministry of Finance’s work and budget review and coordination.

“As if I didn’t have enough work piled up, they’re creating more! Don’t people have any conscience?”

Unable to control his temper, Kim Jeom raised his voice.

“Where’s the Navy Commander-in-Chief?”

***

Eventually, only after Hwang Hui and the Chief of Staff intervened did the situation get sorted out.

“The navy wasn’t certain about this either, were they? Since things just happened to overlap, shouldn’t we be understanding?”

As Hwang Hui defended the military, the Chief of Staff quickly chimed in.

“That’s right. We didn’t know the Westerners would reach Aden so quickly, nor did we expect to discover what appears to be an unclaimed continent during our eastern exploration.”

Following Hwang Hui and the Chief of Staff’s support, the Navy Commander-in-Chief concluded:

“That’s correct. Do you think our navy would knowingly create such problems while pretending not to know? This was beyond our control as well.”

Seeing the military’s fervent claims of innocence, Kim Jeom burst out:

“You gentlemen! Then how are we going to handle the budget? The budget! If you’ve started something, shouldn’t you bring a solution too?”

At Kim Jeom’s outcry, the Navy Commander-in-Chief cautiously spoke up.

“Of course, we’ll need a substantial increase…”

“My good man! That means taxes will increase! Do you think the people will sit idly by? Even the ignorant peasants plowing the fields are now thinking about how to reduce their taxes in this day and age!”

At Kim Jeom’s rebuke, the Navy Commander-in-Chief’s mouth clamped shut like a clam.

***

As Kim Jeom said, the people of Joseon, now addicted to the sweet taste of money, were making every effort to reduce taxes legally, not evade them.

And the easiest way to reduce taxes was to have many children. To properly increase the insufficient population, the court not only provided economic support but also tax benefits to households with many children – at least five.

No, it wasn’t just simple economic support; there was a trend of establishing communal childcare facilities in more and more regions.

As the court and the people worked in harmony like this, Joseon’s population began to explode.

***

“How about releasing the gold and silver we’ve been mining and stockpiling?”

At Hwang Hui’s words, Kim Jeom’s expression grew fiercer.

“Do you know what might happen if we carelessly release that? Do you want to see the country turn upside down because of inflation?”

“If we release it moderately…”

“Do you think ‘moderately’ will be enough to solve the current situation?”

“…”

Hwang Hui fell silent at Kim Jeom’s point. Among those gathered here, Kim Jeom was the foremost expert on statecraft. Usually, he would tremble at the mere mention of money, but he had never made such a fuss before, which is why Hwang Hui kept quiet.

“If we make a mistake, all the hard work we’ve done to establish currency circulation could be shattered! If that happens, then in the main hall…”

At that moment, Hwang Hui swiftly kicked Kim Jeom’s shin.

“Ouch!”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

“Ahem!”

As Kim Jeom came to his senses with a cry of pain, Hwang Hui and those around him all cleared their throats and pretended not to notice.

Kim Jeom, having regained his composure, cleared his throat and summarized his opinion.

“Ahem! Ahem! The conclusion is, all policies regarding naval expansion should be scrapped from this moment! We need to re-examine and adjust everything from the establishment of overseas naval bases. And the smoothest way to proceed with this is to report to His Majesty and follow His Majesty’s decision.”

“Let’s do that.”

With Hwang Hui’s words, the situation was concluded to await King Sejong’s decision.

As the meeting ended, Hwang Hui pulled Kim Jeom aside and said:

“There’s a saying in the marketplace, ‘Even the king is cursed where he can’t be heard,’ but let’s be careful. Of course, I understand why you’re angry, but shouldn’t we still exercise caution?”

“Hmph! I’m not afraid! The worst that could happen is dismissal, exile, or being sent to the Office of Records. Compared to wrestling with the budget, that’s a piece of cake! Since you’ve brought it up, I might as well write my resignation letter!”

Kim Jeom, who had been full of bravado, became crestfallen at Hwang Hui’s next words.

“Dismissal, exile, or the Office of Records would be fortunate. Didn’t you expect you might end up like me?”

“Damn…”

***

Given the nature of the matter, the issue was immediately brought to King Sejong along with Kang Nam-gil’s official report.

“Hmm… It’s certainly good news, but also bad news.”

At Sejong’s assessment, having grasped the core of the problem, Kim Jeom immediately spoke up.

“That’s right, Your Majesty. If we could, I’d like to keep the discovery of this unclaimed land deeply hidden…”

“Absolutely not!”

Suddenly, Hyang interrupted Kim Jeom with an urgent voice. Everyone in the main hall focused their attention on Hyang, whose behavior was completely different from usual.

“I was just thinking out loud…”

In response to Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang immediately replied.

“Don’t even think about it! Haven’t we seen examples of such thinking actually being implemented? The Empty Island Policy, for instance.”

As Hyang mentioned the Empty Island Policy, Kim Jeom fell silent.

During King Taejong’s reign, due to problems with Japanese pirate damage and criminals fleeing, residents of inhabited islands including Mureungdo (Ulleungdo) were relocated to the mainland.

This policy was able to be abolished as Joseon’s navy secured control of the sea during King Sejong’s reforms.

“Crown Prince, I understand what you’re trying to say, but you must not forget to follow proper procedures.”

At Sejong’s sharp rebuke, Hyang immediately bowed his head.

“I apologize. However, the matter seemed too urgent…”

Sejong’s eyes shone at Hyang’s response.

“You didn’t show this kind of behavior even when the urgent news came that Westerners had appeared in Aden. But now you show such a flustered appearance over this matter. It’s truly strange. What’s the reason?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately explained his reasoning.

“Just as our navy thought to go east, someone among the Westerners will have similar thoughts. This means that in the not-too-distant future, the Westerners will also learn about this unclaimed land. We must secure it first, both from an economic and military perspective. Only then will it benefit our Joseon.”

‘A chance to snatch up land that’s essentially a cheat code has come, wouldn’t we be fools to miss it?’ Hyang was internally screaming.

Meanwhile, Sejong stroked his beard and muttered.

“I see. As they say, people’s thoughts are similar, so considering time and cost, it’s natural that others would have similar ideas…”

Mulling over Hyang’s words and nodding, Sejong turned to Kim Jeom.

“The Deputy Prime Minister will have to work hard.”

With those words, everything was decided.

In the end, Kim Jeom responded with a voice full of moisture.

“I receive your command, Your Majesty.”

Looking at Kim Jeom with tears welling up in his eyes, Sejong turned his gaze to Jo Mal-saeng, the Chief of Staff, and the Navy Commander-in-Chief with a sympathetic expression.

“Given how the situation has turned out, and considering the limits of our Joseon’s capabilities, it seems the navy will have to make choices as well. Decide on two absolutely necessary locations among the overseas naval bases to be established. Where do you think would be best?”

“Those places were already chosen as the minimum, Your Majesty.”

“Reduce them further.”

At Sejong’s firm request, the Navy Commander-in-Chief pondered for a while before answering.

“Chittagong and Temasek, Your Majesty.”

“That aligns with my thoughts as well. Then let’s proceed with establishing bases in just those two locations for now. We’ll add others later when the situation improves.”

“We receive your command, Your Majesty.”

As the situation was settled, Sejong moved on to the next topic.

“It seems we’ll need many more Challenger-class ships for smooth exploration of this newly discovered unclaimed land, is that correct?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty.”

“Then consult with the Ministry of Finance to adjust the ratios for that part as well.”

***

“Crown Prince, stay behind for a moment.”

As the meeting regarding the unclaimed land concluded and Hyang was about to leave the main hall, he was held back by Sejong.

As Hyang sat down again, Sejong asked him:

“Given the situation, I have no choice but to press you. How is the development of the steam engine to be installed on the ships progressing?”

“The engine itself has been developed to a nearly sufficient state, but the propeller issue is still holding us back.”

“The propeller? Didn’t you say that the screw propeller could be put into practical use the fastest?”

“We’re in the process of trial and error to find the optimal size ratio.”

“I’ll give you a year. Produce results within that time.”

“The time and budget…”

“Sh…”

As the sound of a double ssh escaped Sejong’s lips, Hyang immediately closed his mouth.

After glaring at Hyang for a moment, Sejong soon composed his expression and continued.

“Also, as you can see from this official report, traveling to and from this yet unnamed unclaimed land takes a considerable amount of time. Therefore, it’s certain that making that unclaimed land part of Joseon’s territory will require different methods than we’ve used so far. Think about this and report in writing.”

“I receive your command, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll give you three days.”

At the three-day time limit, Hyang stared blankly at Sejong.

“Should I extend it by a day and cut the budget by 10% instead?”

“I’ll complete and submit it within three days!”

Watching Hyang hurriedly bow and disappear outside, Sejong chuckled and muttered:

“In the end, the conclusion will be either regency or abdication… What I want to know is what you’re thinking about the process in between. The question of how to manage a greatly expanded Joseon. I need to know that to understand and refine the shape of Joseon you’ll lead.”

Having said that, Sejong chuckled once more.

“But is there anything left for me to refine?”

***

Having left the main hall, Hyang looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh.

“Sigh~ I dug my own grave… Even if we skip the intermediate process, the final choice is between abdication or regency… Or is abdication the most likely possibility?”

‘Abdication or regency’.

Both Sejong and Hyang knew well that the final choice would be one of these two.

Given the distance involved, it was certain that whoever was dispatched to the New World to oversee colonization would be guaranteed considerable authority.

In such a case, the probability of it leading to rebellion or independence over time was very high. Especially for someone who gained the power to control that continent, which was essentially a cheat code in itself, independence would be inevitable.

Therefore, Sejong was the only one who could go to that New World, command everything, and avoid problems.

Of course, they could choose to send Hyang. However, it was a risky move to send the Crown Prince, who was next in line for the throne, to a land where they didn’t know what to expect.

In the end, abdication or regency were the only answers.

Hyang continued walking and organizing his thoughts.

“Father must surely know this too. Yet he gave such an order? If so, what Father is demanding from me is the process in between. In other words…”

Stopping his words and his steps simultaneously, Hyang turned towards the direction of the main hall and concluded:

“What Father wants is a picture of Joseon’s future. He wants to know what the future Joseon that I and my descendants will lead will look like.”